Affirmed Stakes (LATC) explained

Class:	Listed
Horse Race:	Affirmed Stakes
Location:	Santa Anita Park Arcadia, California, USA
Inaugurated:	1979 as Silver Screen Handicap at Hollywood Park Racetrack
Race Type:	Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance:	miles
Surface:	Dirt
Track:	left-handed
Qualification:	Three-year-olds
Weight:	124 lbs with allowances
Purse:	$100,000 (since 2009)

The Affirmed Stakes is a Listed American thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses over a distance of miles on the dirt held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in late-June. The race currently offers a purse of $100,000.

History

The inaugural running of the event was on 30 June 1979 at Hollywood Park Racetrack as the Silver Screen Handicap at a distance of miles and was won by the promising three year old Valdez who won by 10 lengths, which continues to be the longest winning margin in the event.^[1]

The event inherited the grading classification which was Grade II from the Argonaut Handicap which some sources believe is the predecessor to the event.^[1] However, the former Hollywood Park Media Guide management organization^[2] and the current Santa Anita management consider the event to have no connection.

In 1993 the race was renamed to the Affirmed Handicap in honor of the 1978 U.S. Triple Crown champion, Affirmed.^[1]

In 1995 the distance of the event was decreased to miles.^[1]

After Hollywood Park Racetrack was closed in 2013 the race was moved to Santa Anita Park.^[3]

In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Santa Anita closed their track and the event was cancelled^[4]

In 2023 the American Graded Stakes Committee downgraded the event to a Listed race.^[5]

Records

Speed record:

• miles  - 1:40.83 General Challenge (1999)
• miles  - 1:46.80 Journey At Sea (1982)

Largest margin of victory:

• 10 lengths – Valdez (1979)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 5 – Laffit Pincay, Jr. (1979, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1992)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 7 – Bob Baffert (1999, 2006, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2024)

Most wins by an owner:

• 2 – Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman (2011, 2015)

Winners

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Distance	Time	Purse	Grade	Ref
At Santa Anita Park  - Affirmed Stakes
align=center	2024	Parenting	Juan J. Hernandez	Bob Baffert	Gandharvi	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.57	align=center	$100,000	align=center	Listed	^[6]
align=center	2023	Geaux Rocket Ride	Ramon Vazquez	Richard Mandella		align=center	miles	align=center	1:43.75	align=center	$100,000	align=center	Listed	^[7]
align=center	2022	Hopper	Abel Cedillo	Sean McCarthy	Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables & SF Racing	align=center	miles	align=center	1:43.83	align=center	$98,000	align=center	III	^[8]
align=center	2021	The Chosen Vron	Umberto Rispoli	J. Eric Kruljac	J. Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, John Sondereker & Richard Thornburgh	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.01	align=center	$100,000	align=center	III	^[9]
2020	Race not held
align=center	2019	Mucho Gusto	Joseph Talamo	Bob Baffert	Michael Lund Petersen	align=center	miles	align=center	1:45.15	align=center	$100,351	align=center	III	^[10]
align=center	2018	Draft Pick	Joseph Talamo	Peter Eurton	C R K Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.34	align=center	$100,345	align=center	III	^[11]
align=center	2017	Battle of Midway	Flavien Prat	Jerry Hollendorfer	Don Alberto Stable & WinStar Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:43.25	align=center	$98,000	align=center	III	^[12]
align=center	2016	Dalmore		J. Keith Desormeaux	Big Chief Racing, Rocker O Ranch & J. Keith Desormeaux	align=center	miles	align=center	1:40.84	align=center	$100,000	align=center	III	^[13]
align=center	2015	Gimme Da Lute	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.40	align=center	$98,000	align=center	III	^[14]
align=center	2014	Can the Man	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	Kaleem Shah	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.27	align=center	$100,750	align=center	III	^[15]
At Hollywood Park  - Affirmed Handicap
align=center	2013	Tiz a Minister	Corey Nakatani	Paul G. Aguirre	S A Y Racing	align=center	miles	align=center	1:45.79	align=center	$100,750	align=center	III	^[16]
align=center	2012	Nonios	Martin A. Pedroza	Jerry Hollendorfer	Green B. Smith Jr.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.99	align=center	$100,000	align=center	III	^[17]
align=center	2011	Coil	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.88	align=center	$100,000	align=center	III	^[18]
align=center	2010	Golden Itiz	Tyler Baze	Ronald W. Ellis	Jay Em Ess Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.84	align=center	$100,000	align=center	III	^[19]
align=center	2009	Grazen	Rafael Bejarano	Mike R. Mitchell	Nicholas B. Alexander	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.40	align=center	$100,000	align=center	III	^[20]
align=center	2008	Two Step Salsa	Martin A. Pedroza	Julio C. Canani	Everest Stables	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.57	align=center	$107,100	align=center	III	^[21]
align=center	2007	Desert Code	Richard Migliore	David E. Hofmans	Tarabilla Farms	align=center	miles	align=center	1:44.21	align=center	$106,600	align=center	III	^[22]
align=center	2006	Point Determined	Victor Espinoza	Bob Baffert	Robert B. & Beverly J. Lewis Trust	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.55	align=center	$100,000	align=center	III	^[23]
align=center	2005	Indian Ocean	Jon Court	Jay M. Robbins	Mercedes Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.53	align=center	$102,998	align=center	III	^[24]
align=center	2004	Boomzeeboom	Victor Espinoza	Vladimir Cerin	John Karubian, Alan Landsburg & Larry Postaer	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.11	align=center	$110,200	align=center	III	^[25]
align=center	2003	Eye of the Tiger	Alex O. Solis	Jerry Hollendorfer	John D. Gunther	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.30	align=center	$103,096	align=center	III	^[26]
align=center	2002	Came Home	Chris McCarron	J. Paco Gonzalez		align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.99	align=center	$107,500	align=center	III	^[27]
align=center	2001	Until Sundown	Gary L. Stevens	Laura de Seroux	San Gabriel Investments & Sidney L. Port Trust	align=center	miles	align=center	1:43.10	align=center	$100,000	align=center	III	^[28]
align=center	2000	Tiznow	Victor Espinoza	Jay M. Robbins	Michael Cooper & Cecilia Straub-Rubens	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.35	align=center	$134,250	align=center	III	^[29]
align=center	1999	General Challenge	David R. Flores	Bob Baffert	Golden Eagle Farm	align=center	miles	align=center	1:40.83	align=center	$125,000	align=center	III	^[30]
align=center	1998	Old Trieste	Chris McCarron	Mike Puype	Gary Bisantz	align=center	miles	align=center	1:41.80	align=center	$101,822	align=center	III	^[31]
align=center	1997		Corey Nakatani	Wallace Dollase	Horizon Stable, Michael Jarvis, Mandysland Farm, et al.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.80	align=center	$102,500	align=center	III	^[32]
align=center	1996	Hesabull		Mike Chambers	Three Sisters Thoroughbreds	align=center	miles	align=center	1:43.20	align=center	$101,750	align=center	III	^[33]
align=center	1995	Mr Purple	Corey Nakatani	Ron McAnally	Alex G. Campbell Jr.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:42.20	align=center	$133,300	align=center	III	^[34]
align=center	1994	R Friar Tuck	Jerry D. Bailey	Ian P. D. Jory	S. David Plummer	align=center	miles	align=center	1:49.00	align=center	$163,600	align=center	III	^[35]
align=center	1993	Codified	Gary L. Stevens	David E. Hofmans	Ridder Thoroughbred Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.80	align=center	$161,600	align=center	III	^[36]
Silver Screen Handicap
align=center	1992	Natural Nine	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Lewis A. Cenicola	Southern Nevada Racing Stables	align=center	miles	align=center	1:49.40	align=center	$163,000	align=center	III	^[37]
align=center	1991	Compelling Sound	Gary L. Stevens	Charles E. Whittingham	Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Moss	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.80	align=center	$158,800	align=center	III	^[38]
align=center	1990	Stalwart Charger	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Alcides Pico Perdomo	Sidney Factor	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.40	align=center	$158,600	align=center	III	^[39]
align=center	1989	Raise a Stanza	Corey Black	Jay M. Robbins	Jack Kent Cooke	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.40	align=center	$169,700	align=center	II	^[40]
align=center	1988	Iz a Saros	Aaron Gryder	Joseph Manzi	Green Thumb Farm Stable	align=center	miles	align=center	1:49.00	align=center	$163,400	align=center	II	^[41]
align=center	1987	Candi's Gold	Gary L. Stevens	Edwin J. Gregson	Royal Lines (Lessee)	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.60	align=center	$160,500	align=center	II	^[42]
align=center	1986	ƒ Melair	Pat Valenzuela	John W. Sadler	Marianne Millard & Bea Rous	align=center	1 mile	align=center	1:32.80	align=center	$400,000	align=center	II	^[43]
align=center	1985	Pancho Villa	Laffit Pincay Jr.	D. Wayne Lukas	D. Wayne Lukas & Lloyd R. French, Jr.	align=center	1 mile	align=center	1:33.80	align=center	$109,500	align=center	II	^[44]
align=center	1984	Tights	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Laz Barrera	Mill House	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.60	align=center	$80,600	align=center	II	^[45]
align=center	1983	My Habitony	Donald R. Pierce	Arthur J. Lerille Jr.	Olga J. Pejsa	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.60	align=center	$81,000	align=center	II	^[46]
align=center	1982	Journey At Sea	Chris McCarron		Fred W. Hooper	align=center	miles	align=center	1:46.80	align=center	$83,350	align=center	II	^[47]
align=center	1981	Stancharry	Pat Valenzuela	Melvin F. Stute	Harry Cole, Stanley Freeman & Charles Gold	align=center	miles	align=center	1:51.00	align=center	$80,900	align=center	II	^[48]
align=center	1980	Score Twenty Four	Darrel G. McHargue	James Jordan	Thomas Capehart, et al.	align=center	miles	align=center	1:48.20	align=center	$64,200	align=center	II	^[49]
align=center	1979	Valdez	Laffit Pincay Jr.	Laz Barrera	Aaron & Marie Jones	align=center	miles	align=center	1:47.40	align=center	$64,500	align=center	II	^[50]

Legend:

Notes:
ƒ Filly or Mare

See also

• List of American and Canadian Graded races

Notes and References

1. Web site: Affirmed Stakes (Gr. 3) . Equibase.com . www.equibase.com . en . 2021 . 11 June 2021.
2. Web site: 2012 Hollywood Park Media Guide . Hollywood Park . 11 June 2021 . 2012.
3. Web site: AFFIRMED HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS . Thoroughbred Pedigree Online . 2021 . 12 June 2021 .
4. Web site: Health Department Order Suspends Racing at Santa Anita . 27 March 2020 . 21 May 2020 . BloodHorse.com . Claire . Crosby . Byron . King.
5. Web site: American Graded Stakes Committee Releases 2023 Grades; The Stephen Foster Stakes is the only new grade 1 stakes for 2023. . 16 December 2022 . 28 December 2022 . Bloodhorse.com . Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
6. Web site: 2023 Affirmed Stakes Listed - (race 8) . Equibase . 10 June 2024 . 9 June 2024.
7. Web site: 2023 Affirmed Stakes Listed - (race 8) . Equibase . 5 June 2023.
8. Web site: 2022 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7) . Equibase . 11 June 2022 . 12 June 2022.
9. Web site: 2021 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10) . Equibase . 13 June 2021 . 14 June 2021.
10. Web site: 2019 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 16 June 2019 . 8 June 2021.
11. Web site: 2018 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 10 June 2018 . 8 June 2021.
12. Web site: 2017 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 4) . Equibase . 24 June 2017 . 8 June 2021.
13. Web site: 2016 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 5) . Equibase . 2 July 2016 . 8 June 2021.
14. Web site: 2015 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 3) . Equibase . 7 June 2015 . 8 June 2021.
15. Web site: 2014 Affirmed Stakes Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 7 June 2014 . 8 June 2021.
16. Web site: 2013 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 2 June 2013 . 8 June 2021.
17. Web site: 2012 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 3 June 2012 . 8 June 2021.
18. Web site: 2011 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7) . Equibase . 11 June 2011 . 8 June 2021.
19. Web site: 2010 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 19 June 2010 . 8 June 2021.
20. Web site: 2009 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 20 June 2009 . 8 June 2021.
21. Web site: 2008 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 15 June 2008 . 8 June 2021.
22. Web site: 2007 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 17 June 2007 . 8 June 2021.
23. Web site: 2006 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 4) . Equibase . 17 June 2006 . 8 June 2021.
24. Web site: 2005 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 18 June 2005 . 8 June 2021.
25. Web site: 2004 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7) . Equibase . 19 June 2004 . 8 June 2021.
26. Web site: 2003 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 3) . Equibase . 22 June 2003 . 8 June 2021.
27. Web site: 2002 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7) . Equibase . 23 June 2002 . 8 June 2021.
28. Web site: 2001 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 17 June 2001 . 8 June 2021.
29. Web site: 2000 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 1 July 2000 . 8 June 2021.
30. Web site: 1999 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7) . Equibase . 26 June 1999 . 8 June 2021.
31. Web site: 1998 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7) . Equibase . 21 June 1998 . 8 June 2021.
32. Web site: 1997 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 9) . Equibase . 15 June 1997 . 8 June 2021.
33. Web site: 1996 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7) . Equibase . 30 June 1996 . 8 June 2021.
34. Web site: 1995 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 2 July 1995 . 8 June 2021.
35. Web site: 1994 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 6) . Equibase . 2 July 1994 . 8 June 2021.
36. Web site: 1993 Affirmed Handicap Grade 3 - (race 7) . Equibase . 3 July 1993 . 8 June 2021.
37. Web site: 1992 Silver Screen Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 5 July 1992 . 8 June 2021.
38. Web site: 1991 Silver Screen Handicap Grade 3 - (race 8) . Equibase . 16 June 1991 . 8 June 2021.
39. News: Stalwart Charger Lights Up Silver Screen (1990 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 1 July 1990) . . 63 . 2 July 1990 . 9 June 2021 . Bob . Mieszerski.
40. News: Raise a Stanza Takes Silver Screen (1989 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1989) . . . 38 . 4 July 1989 . 9 June 2021 .
41. News: Iz A Saros holds on to win Silver Screen (1988 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1988) . . . 19 . 4 July 1988 . 9 June 2021 .
42. News: Candi's Gold Strikes It Rich In Silver Screen (1987 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1987) . . 34 . 4 July 1987 . 9 June 2021 . Bill . Christine.
43. News: Melair Passes Screen Test at Hollywood Park, with Snow Chief 11 Lengths Out (1986 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 5 July 1986) . . 39 . 6 July 1986 . 9 June 2021 . Bob . Christine.
44. News: Pancho Villa takes Silver Screen Handicap (1985 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 29 June 1985) . . . 66 . 30 June 1985 . 9 June 2021 . Bill . Christine.
45. News: Tights is Newest Star After Silver Screen Win (1984 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 30 June 1984) . . 68 . 1 July 1984 . 9 June 2021 .
46. News: For My Habitony Wait Was Worth It (1983 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 3 July 1983 ) . . 68 . 4 July 1983 . 9 June 2021 .
47. News: Breaks Stakes Record: Journey at Sea Wins Easily in Silver Screen (1982 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 26 June 1982) . . 50 . 27 June 1982 . 9 June 2021 .
48. News: Stancharry Star of Silver Screen (1981 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 5 July 1981) . Bion . Abbott . . 38 . 6 July 1981 . 9 June 2021 .
49. News: Plenty of Suspense in Silver Screen; Score Twenty Four Declared Winner After Review Of Photo And Inquiry (1980 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 6 July 1980) . Bion . Abbott . . 34 . 7 July 1980 . 9 June 2021 .
50. News: Valdez is Picture of Health in Winning by 10 Lengths (1979 Silver Screen Handicap – race 8: held 30 June 1979) . Bion . Abbott . . 60 . 7 July 1979 . 9 June 2021 .